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Orlando Shooting: Uber offers free rides in honor of victims

The terror attack committed last June 12, 2016 in Orlando, Florida left 49 people dead and 53 more injured. It was by far the deadliest mass shooting by a sole assailant in United States history. Moreover, this act of hate, as President Obama called it in his speech, was directed mainly against the LGBT community.

Omar Mateen, an American citizen of Afghan descent, was said to be homophobic, and had recently expressed his ire upon seeing two men kissing. His father implied that his son felt disturbed by this, and it may have triggered him to commit the crime.

Despite the horrors caused by the homophobic attack and controversies within communities that involve LGBT rights, there has been an outpour of support for the victims and their families from various sectors of the society. People have gathered together to help and support in many ways, and forget about each other’s differences.

Uber, a multinational online transport network company, is just one of the companies that have stepped up to support the families of the victims. They will be offering free rides to and fro destinations that are important to the LGBT community and culture.

The company has provided free rides to immediate families of the victims and survivors of the tragic shooting.

Rides are free for up to $20, limited to two rides per person, and the offer is available in forty cities.

Other companies that have offered free services to survivors and their families are: JetBlue, which has been offering free flights. City-owned Greenwood Cemetery is waiving $1,500 for cemetery plots plus $850 in fees.

Other busineses and community groups are gradually stepping in to show their support.